- BLA involved in terror attacks across Pakistan: Australian FM.
- FM Wong reiterates commitment to fight terrorism.
- Wong warns of severe punishment for violating sanctions.
The Australian government on Friday imposed counter-terrorism financing sanctions against the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its senior leaders “for their involvement in and support for terrorist attacks”.
In announcing the sanctions, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the BLA has carried out “violent terrorist attacks” across Pakistan, targeting civilians, critical infrastructure and foreign nationals, as well as the Pakistani state.
The Australian Government’s commitment to combating terrorism and violent extremism is unwavering, she added.
According to Wong, sanctions help cut off financial support for terrorists, making it harder for them to finance operations, recruit and spread their “harmful ideology”.
“We remain committed to working with our international partners to confront and dismantle the networks fueling threats to our security,” she said.
The sanctions make it a criminal offense to use or deal with the assets of a listed person or entity, or to make assets available to them.
Wong said the penalties for a breach of an Australian sanctions law include large fines and up to 10 years in prison.
Australia’s counter-terrorism sanctions are targeted, proportionate and designed to maintain international peace and security, she added.
Pakistan has repeatedly called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to sanction the militant group involved in deadly attacks resulting in the martyrdom of civilians and security personnel.
In January this year, the militant group launched deadly “coordinated attacks across 12 towns” in Balochistan, which resulted in the martyrdom of at least 22 security personnel and 36 civilians.
In a press conference in Quetta on February 1, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said that terrorists associated with India-sponsored Fitna al-Hindustan carried out several attacks targeting civilians in Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni.
A massive counter-terrorism operation by security forces in the province left more than 190 militants dead after the attacks.
Australia’s announcement follows last year’s decision by the United States to formally designate the BLA and its militant faction, the Majeed Brigade, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).
In a statement issued on 11 August 2025, the US State Department also added the Majeed Brigade as an alias to the BLA’s previous listing as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group.
